Ulster County Legislature adopts resolution opposing NY gun-control law after raucous public speak-out at UPAC (video)

Bob Lippman of Saugerties speaks in favor of the Ulster County resolution during Tuesday's meeting at the Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston. (Freeman photo by Tania Barricklo)

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Passions ran high as more than 1,000 people packed the Ulster Performing Arts Center to speak out about a resolution, ultimately approved, putting the Ulster County Legislature on record opposing the state's new stringent gun law known as the SAFE Act.

Lawmakers adopted the resolution, which calls for the state to repeal portions of Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act, in a 14-8 vote late Tuesday following more than three hours of public comment that, at times, was punctuated by raucous applause, heckling and boos.

More than 60 people signed up to comment on the proposal, but by night's end, many of those who signed up had left without speaking.

Throughout the course of the evening, Legislature Chairwoman Terry Bernardo, R-Accord, had to gavel the room back to order, and on several occasions, she warned attendees that sheriff's deputies would remove anyone who shouted out while another person was speaking. Despite repeated outbursts -- including several while Legislature Minority Leader David Donaldson, D-Kingston, spoke -- no one was removed.

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The vast majority of speakers were gun-rights advocates who decried both the state law and the haste with which it was adopted by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

But unlike prior county meetings on the issue, Tuesday's meeting also drew individuals speaking in support of the SAFE Act and in opposition to the proposed county resolution opposing it.

"A ban on assault weapons just makes sense to my mind," said Highland resident Alice Cook, who said her nephew was shot 11 times and will never walk again. "What is it (that type of weapon) needed for by the ordinary citizen except to do another harm?"

Another speaker, Chris Acosta, said the "National Rifle Association, gun advocates and this legislative body" have bastardized the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by criticizing those who oppose the SAFE Act.

Michael Leone was among those calling on the county Legislature to pass the anti-SAFE resolution, saying the state law, which was approved in response to the Dec. 14 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, was wrong for New York and wrong for America.

Diane Watt said the state law takes away her right to protect herself.

"We're not the criminals," said Christine Williams, who said she has had an interest in firearms since she was 6 years old. "There are cruel evil people in this world, but disarming honest citizens is not the solution."

Almost every person who spoke in support of the anti-SAFE resolution said the state law was an attack on the Second Amendment and would prevent people from being safe in their homes.

Legislature Majority Leader Kenneth Ronk, R-Wallkill, introduced the resolution, which is five pages long and offers 32 separate reasons for the request, after more than 200 people packed the Legislature's chamber in January to oppose to the new state law and a resolution introduced last month by Democratic county lawmakers looking for the federal government to implement nationwide gun regulations.

The Legislature moved its monthly meeting on Tuesday to UPAC in anticipation of the large gathering.

Ronk said he and other legislators have been inundated by residents upset by the state's new gun law, which he said "doesn't really make anybody safer."

In part, the county resolution criticizes the governor for forcing the bill to an immediate vote and says the "mishandling" of the process resulted in confusing and complex policy changes that have confounded even the state lawmakers who voted for its passage.

The county resolution also says the state law will harm the county's economy, the recreational opportunities of its residents and its residents' ability to defend themselves.

All Republican legislators who attended the meeting, along with Democrats John Parete, of Boiceville, Richard Parete, of Accord, and T.J. Briggs, of Ellenville, voted in favor of the measure. Legislator Craig Lopez, R-Pine Bush, was absent.

The Ulster County resolutions is similar to a proposal before the Greene County Legislature and one being drafted in the Dutchess County Legislature.

Editor's note: This story was modified 01:28 PM 02-21-13 to include the vote of T.J. Briggs.